ALBURY EAGLES Football Club

Diary Dates ……..

Albury Cricket Club

Dinner Dance

Friday 28^th April

Silvermere Golf Club

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Albury Eagles

World Cup Fun Day

Saturday 17^th June

Noon - 4pm

Albury Heath

Much milder spring-like weather finally arrived on the Heath during the fourth week of March, as our teams now focus on putting in a good finish to the season.

The U9s have had a great season, with Eagles and Griffins sides winning their pools, and thus qualifying for the Champions League play-offs in the Tadworth League.

Whilst at U11, Mark Hurman’s first season at 11 a side looks like providing promotion.

On to recent matches played, beginning with fixtures from Saturday 18^th March……….

U13s

Albury Eagles 3-4 Heron Olympic

Another very exciting encounter, further demonstrating the u13s new found zest, inspite of a freezing east wind.

Albury again spent much of the game on the attack, with some fine passing moves. Heron could have scored quite a few on the break, but valiant defensive work by Leigh B (MoM0 and particularly Hugh Graves in the second half denied them several chances.

Bob brought the ball infield from the right corner, before hitting top right corner of the goal for 1-0.

A Bob Moorcroft free kick on the right was beautifully flighted in for Matt Cox to get a decisive nudge for 2-1. Heron had equalised within 3 mins, right on the stroke of HT.

We had to rejig in the 2^nd half with Hugh and Finlay carrying knocks, Fin eventually coming off; taking advantage, Heron took a 2 goal lead.

Steadying the ship, Albury offered some great counter-attacking, typified by Matt Cox on the left flank whose speedy run and resulting clever lob brought the score back to 3-4.

A minute later the Heron keeper dived at full stretch to push the ball with his fingertips around the post for a corner.

U12s

Horsham Tigers 2-3 Albury Eagles

This was a very hard match against the 2nd bottom side. Horsham were really up for this game and Albury were nearly made to pay for a catalogue of missed chances. Albury took the lead midway through the first half when Dan Kingshott scored direct from a free-kick. Horsham then equalised after a mistake by Zac Smith, allowing a ball to bounce in very windy conditions which let the Horsham forward in to shoot past our goalkeeper. Straight from the kick-off Albury regained the lead when Chris Caley played a through ball for Harvey Owen to run on and shoot past their keeper for 2-1.With 10 minutes to go Horsham got rewarded for their hard work and efforts. A ball got passed through the Albury defence for a Horsham forward to run on to and chip our keeper from the edge of the box for 2-2. With the game looking like it was going to be a draw, and only 2 minutes left on the clock, Chris Caley was substituted for Jake Nurse. Harvey Owen then broke through the Horsham defence and hit a fierce shot which their keeper could only parry into the path of Jake Nurse who bundled the ball into the net for a 3-2 win for Albury. Man of the Match was Keith Fagg for his great efforts in midfield. John Caley

U10s

Albury Griffins 4-1 Holmbury

U9s

Griffins 2-0 Milford Pumas Bullets

U9s

Eagles 2-0 Milford Pumas Arrows

The largest number of supporters of the season were rewarded seeing the Eagles become league champions, beating their main competitors, Milford.

The Eagles dominated play in the first half, with good teamwork and numerous shots on goal from Will Onslow, Fraser Millis, Joe Mapp, Oli Stephens all saved. The defence Alex Connolly and Sammy Lewis prevented attacks from Milford with strong well time tackles.

Heads slightly down from the frustration of not scoring towards the end of the first half, motivational words from Trevor Mourinho in the break and the Eagles started the second half looking like a team who meant business. Sam Parsons worked hard in mid-field, captain and player of the week Alex had a fantastic game. Albury came close to scoring off two corners, well taken by Will, but the first goal come from sheer persistence from Oli Stephens through layers of the Milford defence.

With over ten minutes to go, Oli Turner (back in the green shirt) kept the Eagles level with two first class saves against a desperate Milford attack. Meanwhile, every Albury player seemed to want to score the next goal, Will was denied on many occasions and then Harry Ford put the result beyond doubt.

A great result ... well done everyone and well done Trevor, who was lost for words by the end of the match.

U13s

Albury Eagles 0-2 Maidenbower

We only had 11 players for this encounter, and although up against it, created more than enough chances to put the game beyond doubt.

Dominant games from Bob Moorcroft (centre back – MoM) and Hugh Graves working very effectively in midfield, but breakaways provided Maidenbower with the chances they needed, finishing competently.

The U13s are now playing some really nice football, with much better results than back in the depths of winter.

U12s

East Grinstead 1-0 Albury Eagles

I was so proud of the boys today. Today was one of those 'Titanic' clashes where two teams really played good football and were so evenly matched. It was a so very close match and it always looked like one goal was going to settle the game. With Alex Henson missing in goal, once again, Phil Earle took up the keepers’ gloves. He was man of the match and played an absolute blinder! That’s not to take anything away from the rest of the team who were outstanding. After losing 5-0 at home to East Grinstead exactly a month ago,we had something to prove. The first half sailed by with chances at both ends. Dan Kingshott had a free kick that just went over the bar, Harvey Owen and Jake Nurse both went close. 0-0 at halftime and we were proving to be just as good as East Grinstead. In the second half more chances went to both teams. Then 10 minutes into the second half East Grinstead scored. A throw in dropped into the penalty area and as our defence failed to clear the ball an East Grinstead forward stole in to slot the ball into the net. After that, Zac Smith was pushed into midfield as we looked for an equaliser. We then had a few more chances. Then in the last seconds of the game, Zac Smith put Sam Bunyan in the clear. He cut into the penalty area and hit a shot that went over the bar. The final whistle went and the match was over. A very competitive hard fought match that we didn’t deserve to lose. Although we lost I was told by East Grinstead that this was their hardest match of the season. We were unlucky. JC

U10s

U9s

We won 2-1 with goals from George Mackenzie and Ryan Lintott, which makes us Champions too. Dave Mac.

U9s

Brockham Red 1-2 Albury Eagles

The Eagles found themselves playing against another team who wanted (but failed) to beat the league champions.

With a full squad (apart from Alex Connolly recovering from injury but supporting) available, the starting line up of Joe Mapp, Will Onslow (Captain for the day), Harry Ford, Sam Parsons, Sammy Lewis (Player of the Week), Hugh Ferris and Oli Turner, all played well. Constant energetic runs and shots on target by Harry were rewarded with a first half goal. In the second half, Oli Stephens, Fraser Millis and Tristan Moses all came on and put even more pressure on Brockham. Against the run of play, Will made a great save on the line which was harshly judged as a penalty, then scored by Brockham.

This was followed by some tense but even more determined play by the Eagles, shots from Will, Oli and more from Harry with Sammy and Oli Turner keeping Brockham’s attacks at bay. Tristan worked hard skilfully distributing the ball forward and helping at the back. In the closing seconds, Fraser put the ball past the Brockham keeper to make sure the Eagles got the deserved result.

This was the last league match of the season, and sees the Eagles with 24 points, a positive goal difference of 15 and 7 points ahead of the team below.

U13s

After a terrible start, conceding two in the first ten minutes, Albury began to play some much better football, Matt Cox finishing off a nice passing move down the right with a firm strike 15 yds out to go in at half time just 1-2 down.

Ockley surprisingly continued to struggle in the second half, and it was no surprise when Will Westcott found himself in the ideal position for a trademark lobbing of the keeper for 2-2. For a further 5 minutes, it looked as though we were going to turn the match right around with several fine attacking moves.

Ockley however were by no means finished, and they came back strongly, gifted though by open space infront of our 18 yd line, scoring three in the last 10 minutes to win comfortably in the end.

MoM to Nick Cruse for admirable fighting spirit in defence playing through an injury.

Other good performances from Bob at centre back, Will H (goal), Hugh and Matt. Tony Hern

U12s

Albury Eagles 1-5 Old Dorkinians

Today was a tough day for all our boys. I think once everybody knew we were only playing with 10 men we knew it was going to be a little more than an April Fools day! The boys really showed grit and spirit today as we battled through the game without a recognised goalkeeper and only 10 men. Playing with a make-shift team due to some kids being away and some being ill, the boys coped well considering some of the boys had to play in positions that they weren’t accustomed to. Old Dorkinians led 3 - 0 at halftime. Albury had their fair share of chances. Harvey Owen, Chris Caley and Alex Shelton all going close. In the second half Alex Shelton scored with a low shot that went into the corner of the net.Old Dorkinians added 2 more goals to run out 5-1 winners. But we still had chances in the second half with Sam Bunyan,Chris Caley and Harvey Owen all going close. I gave Man of the Match to the whole team for their efforts today.

A new season of cricket is rapidly appearing on the horizon and as is our tradition we’ll be kicking the season off with our annual dinner to which you are all invited as members or associate members of the club.

At last year’s event we saw representatives from all elements of the club, senior cricket, junior cricket and Eagles football club which was a huge boost for the collective support of the club. We even saw Drew’s rather odd jacket which he assures us has been upgraded for this year! This year our intention is to build on this success and hopefully see even greater numbers from each of the constituent parts of the club.
The format for the evening is a three course dinner followed by SHORT(!) speeches and then music to dance to

DATE: FRIDAY 28th APRIL 2006
VENUE: SILVERMERE GOLF CLUB
TIME: 7.30 for 8.00
PRICE: £29.50 per head

We would genuinely love to see as many members as possible at the dinner from all spectrums of the club – it would be hugely helpful if people could try and get together with some friends to make up a table of 8 or 10 guests? This is not a formal event and we promise that the formalities will be kept to a minimum!
Tim Wall

Attention all managers !!

SAT 29^TH APRIL

Gerry will be getting the Heath ready for cricket on the 29^th, so best bet is to find an away friendly.

The following Saturday, 6^th May, we have use of Tillingbourne School for the final training session of the season.

There is also Tournament play at Guildford Saints that weekend, St Peter’s School, Merrow.

Further details to follow.

The Committee are planning a major fund raiser for the club on

Saturday 17^th June on Albury Heath, Noon – 4pm

with the

Albury Eagles World Cup Fun Day.

As well as tournaments featuring the qualifying nations at the World Cup, we shall have a bar, barbecue, and many sideshow attractions.

Trophies for the Season will also be awarded.

So, put a date in your diaries now for this not to be missed event.

ALBURY

EAGLES

FOOTBALL

CLUB

NEWSLETTER

U13s

Albury Eagles 3-4 Heron Olympic

U12s

Horsham Tigers 2-3 Albury Eagles

U10s

Albury Griffins 4-1 Holmbury

U9s

Griffins 2-0 Milford Pumas Bullets

U9s

Eagles 2-0 Milford Pumas Arrows

U13s

Albury Eagles 0-2 Maidenbower

U12s

East Grinstead 1-0 Albury Eagles

U10s

U9s

U9s

Brockham Red 1-2 Albury Eagles

U13s

U12s

Albury Eagles 1-5 Old Dorkinians